NBA Playoffs 2013: Houston Rockets’ Jeremy Lin a Game-Time Decision for Game 3

The biggest story heading into the Houston Rockets Game 3 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder is the fact that Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has been ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs after having knee surgery. While that’s the headline coming into the game, a subplot revolves around Jeremy Lin who is being ruled as a game-time decision after bruising a chest muscle in Game 2’s loss.

Houston is in an 0-2 hole against the Thunder, but could benefit from the blow to morale the loss of Westbrook has dealt the Thunder. Losing Westbrook isn’t a death knell for Oklahoma City, but it could be an opportunity for the Rockets to get a game back in the series and at least extend the series to five games.

Lin sat out practice since bruising that chest muscle which means he hasn’t played or practiced with the team since Wednesday But there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be able to go on Saturday night, but the Rockets will wait until the very last minute to make that decision. Putting Lin in before he’s ready to go can doom what chances the Rockets have right now to beat the Thunder.

With Westbrook out, and Wednesday’s game going down to the wire, Houston has a real chance to claw their way back into this series, but they need Lin to do that and we will have to wait until tonight to see if he plays in Game 3.